I posted in an earlier thread how I came into getting my Mustang ( Mustang thread)

Having recently returned from my first multi-day road trip, turning over 6000 miles, and coming up on 4 months with the car I thought I would post a bit of an update...


Short story is that I love it am pretty happy all around. I have had just a single problem, the headliner webbing got twisted at some point and caused binding/tear on the headliner while going up and down. Dealer was great, ordered the part and got it replaced no questions asked.

To date, I am averaging an honest 20mpg combined over 6200+ miles. I'd guess I am driving about 60/40 freeway/city. While I have a 90 mile daily round trip commute, I make a point of driving my F150 at least 1-2 days a week to keep the miles down a little. That way I can drive the Mustang around for errands and weekend travels. As such, instead of the 2200+ miles a month I was putting on my Optima, I am averaging about 1600 miles a month with the Mustang. I'd much rather rack the miles up on the F150, and they both get about the same gas mileage.


This past weekend, I did a road trip to eastern WA. It was the first multi-day trip in the Mustang and first time going over curvy, mountain roads. It was supposed to be a motorcycle trip, but due to some physical issues, my motorcycling days may be numbered.


(Non-Mustang related tangent having to do with health issues and motorcylcing...)

I have been having some lower back problems for the past nine months or so, and a few weeks ago I was diagnosed with arthritis and bone spurs in my right foot/big toe and "Hallux rigidus" (stiff toe). Basically what this means is as I flex my toe while walking, on the step off, my big toe comes to a hard stop against the bone spur instead of smoothly articulating through the natural range of the joint. It is extremely painful at times, creates inflammation, which in return causes the body to respond by growing more bone, causing more problems. Wonderful.

My podiatrist says best I can do is try to lessen the impact by wearing stiffer shoes and minimizing the range of flex while walking. He gave me a stiff metal plate to put in my shoe under my orthotics and suggested I stick with shoes that have stiffer soles. Says at some point one of two surgeries will be likely, either grind off the excess bone or fuse the joint. Until then, try to avoid over flexing and treat the pain with hot/cold/anti-inflammatories.


Given these two problems, I started rethinking the motorcycle trip I had been planning since early spring (my riding groups regional rally). Reason being is I have a tall, heavy, fast as shit and fun as sex motorcycle (Kawasaki Concours 1400) that, once I am moving I have no problem with. However, since I am short (28" inseam, not quite an Oompa-Loompa, but pretty damn close short) anytime I have to come to a stop, I am in a precarious position trying to balance that 700lb behemoth on one foot, and in most instances, tippy toes.

I am no a genius, but even I can see the correlation/concern of handling the bike and my current physical/medical concerns. I also had the stark realization that it might explain why on my last three motorcycle outings, at some point physics got the best of me and my bike ended up toppling over during zero speed, parking lot maneuvering. Thankfully no injuries or damage other than a scuff or two in those cases. However, my bike is one that pretty much requires a minimum of two, and preferably three people to get upright once it decides to take a nap.


With this weighing on my mind, and given how little I ride these days (three or four 3-day weekend trips a year) I started thinking maybe it is time to sell the bike and close that chapter of my life. Either that or move to a shorter/lighter bike that I could flat foot and not have balance issues with. That seriously limits my choices as I've always preferred sport/sport-tour type bikes and they pretty much all are 30+" seat heights.

Or...... maybe the Mustang would be fun enough to let me forget about motorcycles?



(We now return to Mustang content...)

Not wanting to miss the rally I had paid and reserved motel for, I decided I would take the Mustang instead. This would be the first time getting the Mustang up in the mountains with fun, twisty roads and I was quite pleased with how it handled. I tend to ride in a "spirited" fashion and decided I would drive in a similar manner. The centrifugal force pushing me to the outside of the turns instead of leaning into it as on a motorcycle took a little getting used too, but my little pony takes the turns well. While I might sway to the outside, it is sure-footed and the 20" Pirelli P-Zeros stuck like glue and held the line with the suspension staying nice and firm.

It easily sped through mountain curves 20 or more mph over the posted warning speeds and had all the acceleration needed to make passes in short distances, even at 4000'+ altitude and going uphill. Looking good and getting 20+mpg while doing so.

The trip to Colville took me over the North Cascades Highway and into northeastern corner of Washington state. While there are a few stretches of 60mph speed limits, the vast majority of the 318 miles is posted at 50-55mph with several drops to 25 and 35 mph zones as you go through all the various local towns.

As expected, I got some ribbing for showing up at a motorcycle rally during a car, but it was a good trip none the less. The guys I ride with are just a spirited as I and our group of usual suspects headed out for a 180 mile day ride on Saturday. I had no problem keeping up with them, and they even let me take point for awhile.

Sunday morning I headed for home and made the 318 mile return trip in five hours and 10. Inutes, with a moving average of 61mph. Not bad at all considering on my bike I usually only managed about a 58 mph moving average.


So motorcycle vs. Mustang for power, performance, and road trip frolicking fun how do they match up?


If the bike is an excitement factor of 10, the Mustang ranks at least an 8. I say that knowing that I never really did push the Mustang hard or come anywhere close to the edge, something I do frequently while on bike trips. If the Mustang can make 8 going "moderate" I am confident that 9 is within reach once I am more used to it and spend more time in track mode with the nannies disabled. While it is a different "fun" compared to a performance motorcycle, the "fun" of a performance car is pretty damn fun as well.


As for comfort, the Mustang is a 10 compared to about a 7.5 for the Connie. Even with a rag-top, no where near the noise. No sore ears after 5-6 hours wearing earplugs and wedged in a helmet. No heavy protective gear while traversing sweltering mid-day heat, a cool refreshing beverage in the cup holder at all times, and much better sound system to listen to while the miles pass away. No end of ride grittiness and dried sweat requiring an immediate shower upon arriving at the destination. If the weather becomes inhospitable, the top can go up and the AC can come on.



I headed out on the trip unsure how I thought about the possibility of no longer having a motorcycle and getting pretty heavy in thought over it. The Mustang taught me that if being bikeless comes to pass, I'll be ok.


And, ever the optimist finding the silver lining, I realized as I made the drive home that with the motorcycle gone, the Mustang just might be able to fit in the garage. Oh, and the proceeds from the motorcycle sale would easily fund a new intake and exhaust, bumping the Coyote 5.0 fun-factor even higher...


Speaking of upgrades, at this point I have done just a few. A K&N air filter, tail light sequencing harness that adds the sequencing to brake and hazard lights instead of just for turn signals, gas hood struts (seriously Ford, a prop rod on this car WTF?, and "jacking rails" that allow the entire side of the car to be raised to make wheel changes a little faster.

I also have picked up a spare set of take off stock 20" wheels and summer tires as well as a set of factory 18" wheels and all season tires for that portion of the year where Seattle are temps are frequently below 50 degrees.


Yup, this is a sweet car and the beginning of something special....


5DIV3911 by Wayne Wilson, on Flickr

Great story. With your foot probs, you're correct, bike days are numbered. The GT will fill in nice.

I can't help but notice the lines and slick finish on your GT. Did you clay the vehicle? The depth is outstanding!

Good luck in your decision making.

Sounds like a blast, glad you're enjoying it as much as you expected to. It's a great looking ride!

quote:

I had no problem keeping up with them, and they even let me take point for awhile.

This was probably a defensive measure against concerns for brake fade on that beast wiping out a whole column of your friends at a hairpin.....

Good story, and glad you are OK with the transition away from the bike. We sold our Triumph Rocket when we bought our roadster (2011 Corvette Grand Sport rag top), and it was a mistake. Enjoy the car but very much miss the bike.

We trudge on.

Is the Pony car an auto or 6 speed? I was thinking if you have foot problems, the 6 speed might end up causing you problems down the line. The 'Stang looks awesome!

Good for you. I'm 66 and reached the same decision of getting off 2 wheels and going to a stang convert in 2014. I bought an 04 GT that now has 25,000 miles and is a ton of fun. I love the styling on the new ones like yours and the power is amazing. I can chirp the tires going in to 2nd with my 4.6L and that's quick enough for me. Too many fools on the road to stay on a bike.

quote:

Originally posted by recoatlift:
...I can't help but notice the lines and slick finish on your GT. Did you clay the vehicle? The depth is outstanding!

Good luck in your decision making.

No clay, just some dynamic range boosting and editing in Photoshop.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
Sounds like a blast, glad you're enjoying it as much as you expected to. It's a great looking ride!

quote:

I had no problem keeping up with them, and they even let me take point for awhile.

This was probably a defensive measure against concerns for brake fade on that beast wiping out a whole column of your friends at a hairpin.....

I'd have to work it a whole lot harder than I was to worry about brake fade. It has some serious binders!

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
Is the Pony car an auto or 6 speed? I was thinking if you have foot problems, the 6 speed might end up causing you problems down the line. The 'Stang looks awesome!

6 speed auto, no way I am going to pump a clutch with my commute. It does have paddle shifters and with "Sport Mode" is pretty close to a manual experience but without the hassle.

Stang is a beauty!

I have sorta the same predicament. I bought a 2010 last year (GT, 4.6L) with only 36k miles on the clock and love it. Always wanted a Mustang and now that I have it - I don't really ride the bike anymore! Starting to wonder if I might not just be better off selling it but for the few times a year I do use it I think I'd miss it. My wife also enjoys riding on it from time to time.

In the meantime the bike is paid for so I'll be keeping it. Only 52 y/o so have some good years ahead of me if I decide to lean that way - but I can already tell the HD at 800+ lbs is starting to get heavier....

I am only 54, but evidently going downhill fast

One more thing, my wife never went on rides with me due to old broken/fused tailbone not being able to sit on the bike. So moving from bike to Mustang for road trips means we can share the adventure.

Don't know for sure yet if that is good, bad, or both but she certainly like the idea...

Throw a Whipple and Longtubes and you'll forget your biking days in no time!

Sorry to hear about your ending your bike riding.
My wife told me today, that with my knee and back problems, she no longer felt safe on the back of our Goldwing.
Unfortunately we do not have a Mustang...but we do have a Tbird and it is a rag top/hardtop
Love you guys and your pics, those cars are great.

Surprised so many in similar situations. Maybe we should plan a SF convertible road rally?

At the same place in my life: New Jeep Wrangler Unlimited soft top and a Kawasaki Vulcan. My wife and I have realized that good Bike weather is also good top-down Jeep weather and we usually choose the Jeep. Bike may go this year for us as well. The other thing is, we just don't feel as safe with all the cell-phone-using idiots on the road lately.

At 60 here and I must say, I gave up biking for a family. I could NOT behave on them.

Thought it was out of my system till my cousin had a Ninga, and I had to beat my old speed record and went to 195.

Don't know what I was thinking but knew that was it!

Great looking Mustang. Congrats.

quote:

Originally posted by 911Boss:
I posted in an earlier thread how I came into getting my Mustang ( Mustang thread)

Reason being is I have a tall, heavy, fast as shit and fun as sex motorcycle (Kawasaki Concours 1400) that, once I am moving I have no problem with. However, since I am short (28" inseam, not quite an Oompa-Loompa, but pretty damn close short) anytime I have to come to a stop, I am in a precarious position trying to balance that 700lb behemoth on one foot, and in most instances, tippy toes.

So you're 'that guy' I see at pretty much every moto event? More power to you for making it work. Happy to hear you found something to fill the two wheel gap in your recreational motoring.

Reading your post yesterday made me want to take mine out last night! I went on a little cruise with the windows open. Turned over 7000 miles on the clock last night. I need to take it out more. I wish I had a triple shit Fox Body convertable!

Very nice! That has "Road Trip" all over it. Two-lane highways beckon ...

Most recently, US-212 thru Montana. US-97 thru Oregon is on the list next.

The joy of the open road doesn't demand you are limited to 2 wheeled response. It sounds like you have discovered "There IS Life after motorcycles".

After 45+ years riding, I too decided to retire my biking career. It was gratifying to discover 'in the wind' doesn't require 2-wheels-only to satisfy.

Cheers!!!

quote:

Originally posted by signewt:
The joy of the open road doesn't demand you are limited to 2 wheeled response. It sounds like you have discovered "There IS Life after motorcycles".

True, I guess it's just that I previously wasn't at a point where I had the means for a performance four wheeled response. No getting around the fact you can get far more gettyup-go per $1 with a motorcycle. Takes a bit more coin to get a car in that class of performance.

quote:

:
After 45+ years riding, I too decided to retire my biking career. It was gratifying to discover 'in the wind' doesn't require 2-wheels-only to satisfy.

Cheers!!!

One thing I always liked about motorcycles, was you were more "in touch" with the elements on the road and a "part" of the environment. Not as much in a car, looking out the windows. Kind of like watching it vs. doing it. Top down on a convertible gets pretty close to the motorcycle experience in that regard as well.


Each day that goes by I am getting more comfortable with selling the bike being the right decision. Guess I need to clean it up one last time and get some pictures so I can risk my life with a craigslist post